Michael Jayston

[GRAEME]

A more unusual memory of Michael Jayston is his teaming up with Mia Farrow and Topol in Carol Reed's last film, Follow Me. I can't remember much about it except that it was shown one afternoon on BBC2, in the mid-1980s, and Topol was a photographer who would secretly take pictures of a couple kissing in a public place. No, I'm not confusing it with Blow Up!





In fact, I've just found the IMDb profile for the film and have had my memory 'jogged' a bit. That's right, Topol was a private detective hired by Michael to photograph wife Mia Farrow, who he suspected of having an affair with another man. I don't think it was all that good but I liked the cast. MovieGoods has lots of great images from this film under it's ill-advised American title - Public Eye Sacrilege to my favourite TV programme!

Actually The Public Eye is the name of the Peter Shaffer stage play the film is based on. The original West End run starred Maggie Smith and Kenneth Williams in 1962 so the title pre-dated the TV show.



can't say I cared much for the film - even though I'm a big fan of Shaffer. I'd pay good money to see a version with the original cast though!

[theuofc]

Here are some screencaps of Michael Jayston as Roger Fitzpatrick (one of his most sinister roles) in the ITV Drama Somewhere To Run (1989) also featuring Angela Pleasence as Anita Fitzpatrick.

Wonderful screen caps, Billy! Thanks.



Barbara

[theuofc]

... I saw Michael on stage in Quartet recently; he has incredible stage presence and a great voice. ...

I see in a notice from Malvern Theatres that Jayston is playing in Quartet with Timothy West, Susannah York and Gwen Taylor from 23-28th August.



Michael Jayston in Quartet-Malvern Theatres

[wellendcanons]

Many happy returns Michael

wec

[didi-5]

Blimey is it that time again? Happy birthday (and with some sadness I note that the previous post at #23 references the play Quartet which was sadly the late Susannah York's last appearance.

One of my favourite performances of Michael Jayston's:

[sisterluke]

A very good Rochester in 1973's Jane Eyre series as well. Happy birthday Mr J.

One of my regrets is that I never watched this adaptation of Jane Eyre. Although a big fan of Michael Jaston's, I couldn't visualise him as Edward Rochester, my concept having been based the performance of Orson Welles. Several years later, I actually read the novel and realised that Michael's sardonic screen presence would have made him the ideal Edward Rochester. So glad he has site of his own on Britmovie. My earliest memories are his performances in The Power Game. A very fine actor indeed.

[sisterluke]

Well done, well-end I'm also a fan of Michael's, especially his performances in Thriller. He was so compelling that he deserves to be 'rewarded' with a two-part celebration for each of them. It may take a while though. I was so happy to see Michael in Emmerdale, where he had some great scenes with 'wife' Nicola Wheeler, one of my favourite actresses of recent years. His leaving has given me less incentive to watch these days and Nicola hasn't been as much fun to watch either. The Soap has moved on since then, so I'm just left with (already) dim memories, but I can assure you, and myself, that I loved every minute he was on screen.



I actually have my favourite moment here, not just from Thriller but of all the hours I've seen Michael on television over the years. It comes from the episode Ring Once For Death, where he played killer butler Roger Masters, and is included in one of my photo albums here. This is during a scene where Victor Winding, also excellent as a detective, confronts him and finds a way of 'rattling' Masters, stating "Of course, you're a servant aren't you?":

I love his reaction to that put-down. He's trying to remain calm and professional but there is a flickering moment of anger which I hope comes across here, albeit out of context. Maybe you'll understand - or remember - what I mean when you see it again. I'm not sure if I finished screencapping the best moments from this episode but think I've done (most of) Michael's.



A more unusual memory of Michael Jayston is his teaming up with Mia Farrow and Topol in Carol Reed's last film, Follow Me. I can't remember much about it except that it was shown one afternoon on BBC2, in the mid-1980s, and Topol was a photographer who would secretly take pictures of a couple kissing in a public place. No, I'm not confusing it with Blow Up!



In fact, I've just found the IMDb profile for the film and have had my memory 'jogged' a bit. That's right, Topol was a private detective hired by Michael to photograph wife Mia Farrow, who he suspected of having an affair with another man. I don't think it was all that good but I liked the cast. MovieGoods has lots of great images from this film under it's ill-advised American title - Public Eye Sacrilege to my favourite TV programme!



I also remember The Internicine Project. It was shown a few times on BBC1 during the Eighties but with other decades following, the channel has (unhappily) decided to broadcast more recent, less sophisticated films. Finally, while wishing Michael a Happy Birthday myself, I must mention that one of his guest appearances was in an episode of Callan, called God Help Your Friends, that also included Rachel Herbert AND Stephanie Beacham! Dream casting indeed. Of course, he would work again with Patrick Mower, one of the main stars, when they were in Emmerdale together. Good luck, Michael

Thanks for reminding me of Follow Me cornershop. I hadn't realised it was a Carol Reed film. I loved it. I thought Topol was excellent and so, of course, was Michael. I believe it has had only two showings on TV. Great shame!